Jarrod Wallace promises he won’t let anyone down as he eyes Maroons debut

YOUNG prop Jarrod Wallace has emerged as a serious contender for a Maroons call-up, and is confident he can mix it at State of Origin level.

Jarrod Wallace is a serious contender for a Maroons call-up.

TITANS enforcer Jarrod Wallace has promised he won’t let anyone down if handed an Origin debut next week.

The young prop has emerged as a serious contender to earn a call-up into the Queensland squad for Game One, following an injury to veteran forward Nate Myles in Saturday’s clash between the Titans and Sea Eagles.

Myles will have scans on his knee on Monday meaning the Maroons selectors will be sweating on his results in the lead up to the team announcement at 1pm.

Wallace, who has statistically been the best middle forward in the NRL so far this season, has put his hand up for the job should Queensland need cover for the long-serving Myles.

“I won’t let anyone down if I do get picked,” Wallace said.

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Jarrod Wallace is a serious contender for a Maroons call-up.

“If they give me the opportunity ... I definitely think I’m ready for it. I’ve done what I probably need to do (to get picked). I can always do better but I gave it a good crack.

“You never like to see anyone get injured, especially Nate. He’s a good guy off the field and I’ve known him for a little while.”

Wallace was solid in his final audition on Saturday night, even if it was not his best performance of the year.

Titans coach Neil Henry said Wallace may have been slightly off his game on Saturday, but backed him to take Myles’ spot if needed.

“It would be up to Kevvie (Walters) and his selectors to have a little look at that, but I think Jarrod’s been pretty good,” Henry said.

Nate Myles is battling a knee injury.

“He was one of several men (Saturday) that weren’t really on their game. But his past performances have been very good.

“He won’t let anyone down. I’m sure he’s in the mixture anyway with Kevvie. There’s a number of players out there that they can pick from but Jarrod certainly deserves to be one of them.”

Wallace said even if he was not selected, just knowing he was in consideration gave him plenty of confidence moving forward with the Titans.

“There’s always someone that doesn’t get picked and if that’s me, then that’s obviously the way Queensland selectors want to go,” he said.

“If Nate is picked or Jacob Lillyman, they’ve been there and done a job and I completely respect what they’ve done. That’s why they’ve been so dominant over the last 10 years.

“It’s always a good feeling to be spoken about and to be in the running for a Queensland jersey.”